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Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap with 318 curves in 11 miles, is America’s number one motorcycle and sports car road.

Designated US 129, the road is bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest, with no intersecting roads or driveways to hamper your travel. It is considered “the destination” for thousands of motorcycle and sports car fans throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Can you brave it? It’s best to be cautious as the turns are tight, but the Tail of the Dragon is guaranteed to be the ride of your life!

The Tail of the Dragon T-Shirt Shack at the intersection of US 129 and NC 28. You can shop our secure On-Line Tail of the Dragon Store anytime. We run Facebook and Instagram contests frequently and provide discounts and special event news in out seasonal Monthly Newsletter. And, make sure to visit Killboy.com to view his weekly highlights and where you can order your Dragon and Cherohala Skyway photos, both current and archives. Killboy.com also offers Garmin VIRB rental cameras and sales (GoPro accessories too) at the T-Shirt Shack,

Latest Tail of the Dragon News

August 1, 2015

Weather has been hot and dry. Be sure to stay hydrated. Recent storms have seen many trees falling, even in clear weather.

Tatham Gap Road from Robbinsville to Andrews, North Carolina has been reopened after three years of repair work. We call this nine mile long road the Gravel Dragon. From Robbinsville take Long Creek Road south from Snowbird Road (NC 1127) near the recycling center. From Andrews take Stewart Road (NC 1389) north of US 19/74/129 to Tatham Gap Road and turn right onto the gravel. The road is in good condition, but there are several corners on the Andrews side with minor washouts.

We tried to take Tuni Gap Road from from Nantahala Lake south to Hayesville but found it had been closed for two years after landslides blocked the roadway.

Latest Photos

click on images for larger view

Ron and Nancy taking a couple of days off. Having a drink at The Spoon in Spruce Pine, NC.

Dinner at the Knife and Fork in Spruce Pine. It doesn't get much better than this.

Metal dragon at the One of a Kind Art Gallery on NC 80 in Micaville, NC. Lots of unique art work for sale here.

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Roads To Explore

Road Updates

BULLETIN:Tennessee has finally banned trucks over 30 feet long on the Tail of the Dragon. Signs will be erected in January. It has only been 14 years that the TailoftheDragon.com has pushed for this to happen. Thank you TDOT for finally coming around. DETAILS

SIX GAP UPDATE: Wolf Pen Gap, part of the Six Gap Loop in north Georgia,has been repaved. The much needed improvements will make this a safer ride.

THE GAMBLER/RATTLER – NC 209 UPDATE: Pavement is deteriorating in in the twisty section south of Hot Springs.

Just a reminder to ride and drive safe on our area roads. It is much cheaper and safer to do a track day than to get a ticket or worse yet cause an accident on our public highways.

You might notice trees and rocks along the NC side of US 129 and NC 28 are painted with a purple paint. This marks the land as “POSTED” and hunters need written permission from the land owner to hunt there. See the North Carolina Landowner Protection Act for details.

Tail of the Dragon History

The earliest known photo on the Tail of the Dragon. This is the Toll Booth that was located at mile marker 3 circa 1890s. The road had been known at various times as Parsons, Madisonville/Franklin and the Tallassee Turnpike. George Davis was the Tollkeeper.